Abstract

Desaturation is a necessary step in the modification of essential fatty acids linoleic and linolenic acids to arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid, respectively. The levels of these fatty acids are lowered by ethanol consumption in blood cells, liver and brain. The mechanisms underlying the disruption of essential fatty acid levels in these tissues is largely unknown. One possible explanation for this alcohol-induced deficiency is inhibition of elongation/desaturation of 18-carbon essential fatty acids by alcohol. A stable isotope gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method has been developed that allows for the in vivo examination of these processes. This technique has improved the sensitivity of the method by several orders of magnitude and has made possible non-invasive metabolic studies in large animals. Studies in rats, cats and rhesus monkeys have indicated that all mammals have elongation and desaturation capability and that it may be monitored in the blood supply. This approach has made possible human trials in which we will investigate the effects of alcohol abuse and withdrawal as well as diet on desaturation and chain elongation.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Intramural Research (Z01)
Project #
1Z01AA000262-09
Application #
3801953
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
United States
Zip Code

  Publications

Salem, N M; Lin, Y H; Moriguchi, T et al. (2015) Distribution of omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the whole rat body and 25 compartments. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 100:13-20
Lin, Yu Hong; Shah, Samit; Salem Jr, Norman (2011) Altered essential fatty acid metabolism and composition in rat liver, plasma, heart and brain after microalgal DHA addition to the diet. J Nutr Biochem 22:758-65
DeMar Jr, James C; DiMartino, Carmine; Baca, Adam W et al. (2008) Effect of dietary docosahexaenoic acid on biosynthesis of docosahexaenoic acid from alpha-linolenic acid in young rats. J Lipid Res 49:1963-80
Polozova, Alla; Salem Jr, Norman (2007) Role of liver and plasma lipoproteins in selective transport of n-3 fatty acids to tissues: a comparative study of 14C-DHA and 3H-oleic acid tracers. J Mol Neurosci 33:56-66
Pawlosky, Robert J; Hibbeln, Joseph R; Salem Jr, Norman (2007) Compartmental analyses of plasma n-3 essential fatty acids among male and female smokers and nonsmokers. J Lipid Res 48:935-43
Lin, Yu Hong; Salem Jr, Norman (2007) Whole body distribution of deuterated linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids and their metabolites in the rat. J Lipid Res 48:2709-24
Pawlosky, Robert J; Lin, Yu Hong; Llanos, Adolfo et al. (2006) Compartmental analyses of plasma 13C- and 2H-labeled n-6 fatty acids arising from oral administrations of 13C-U-18:2n-6 and 2H5-20:3n-6 in newborn infants. Pediatr Res 60:327-33
Polozova, Alla; Gionfriddo, Elisa; Salem Jr, Norman (2006) Effect of docosahexaenoic acid on tissue targeting and metabolism of plasma lipoproteins. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 75:183-90
Cunnane, Stephen C; Ryan, Mary Ann; Lin, Yu Hong et al. (2006) Suckling rats actively recycle carbon from alpha-linolenate into newly synthesized lipids even during extreme dietary deficiency of n-3 polyunsaturates. Pediatr Res 59:107-10
Lin, Yu Hong; Salem Jr, Norman (2005) In vivo conversion of 18- and 20-C essential fatty acids in rats using the multiple simultaneous stable isotope method. J Lipid Res 46:1962-73

Showing the most recent 10 out of 22 publications